Makarska restaurateurs report decline in seasonal spending

Hospitality owners in Makarska are reporting a decline in restaurant revenue despite high beach attendance during the peak summer season. Local restaurateurs estimate that spending is at least 20 percent lower than last year.

Business owners note a shift in tourist behavior, describing a 'student-like' trend where groups of people share single dishes. For example, one owner reported groups of five or six people ordering only one portion of fries or two pizzas to share. This trend is attributed to highly frugal guests who prefer shopping at supermarkets like Lidl and Kaufland to cook in their apartments rather than dining out.

In addition to changing consumer habits, local businesses cited infrastructure works in the Peškera area as a factor that negatively impacted business during the early summer months.